Site Event/Activity record ECH3400 - Watching brief on works at 62 - 66 Foregate Street, Chester in 1956

Following the demolition of the extant structures, permission for archaeological excavation was given by the architects. Excavation established a long sequence of occupation throughout the Roman period. Primary occupation comprised a series of post holes for timber buildings of the Flavian/Trajanic period. Two buildings had floors of clay. The next phase of occupation occurs towards the end of third century and is represented by the heavy sandstone make up and wall footings of a large but crudely constructed building bordered by a stone lined drain and cobbled lane. After the Roman period, the site was not in use until the thirteenth century when several rubbish pits were recorded (1).